Fears chaos: "We will respond extremely firmly"

Le Monde  

Fearing violent May Day chaos in Paris  

Of:  

Emil Forsberg  

Published: Less than 3 hours ago  

Updated: Less than 2 hours ago 

NEWS  

Major violence is expected in Paris during the May Day celebrations.  

Thousands of extremists are said to be mobilizing "in an unprecedented way".  

- We will respond extremely firmly, says police chief Laurent Nunez to BFMTV. 

Paris has been rocked by a series of violent protests since President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform was announced.  

When the May Day train is approaching, the protesters have come together in an unprecedented way, BFMTV writes.  

According to Paris police intelligence, several thousand extremists are preparing to fight, smash windows and attack police to stop the celebrations. 

         

Violent demonstrations have been ongoing since Macron's pension reform was announced. Photo: Aurelien Morissard / AP 

Photo: Michel Euler / AP 

"Will not consider"  

Police chief Laurent Nunez says that no consideration will be given to the perpetrators of violence.  

- We will respond extremely firmly against thugs and troublemakers who come to cause problems and we will disperse them so that the trade unions can demonstrate, he says. 

In connection with previous demonstrations, the infamous riot police unit Brav-M, or "Robocops" have been called in to disperse the demonstrations. 

          

           Infamous riot police unit Brav-M. Photo: Thibault Camus/AP  

"Has cracked skulls" 

The police have been accused of excessive violence, sexual harassment and threats,something Aftonbladet previously reported on. 

- I'll tell you, we've both broken elbows and cracked skulls, said a police officer in a secret audio recording obtained by Le Monde.  

Police Chief Laurent Nunez, however, looks positively on tomorrow. 

- There will be trade union trains which I think will go well because the last twelve demonstrations have gone quite calmly, he says